Background Info: Asparagus acid is uniquely fit to asparagus and is not found in any other vegetable. The breakdown of asparagusic acid and its variety of compounds can most likely be found in your urine after eating asparagus. Scientists think that this is one of the key factors as to why you have an unusual smell when you eat asparagus. This acid was discovered through studies. It has been suggested by several studies that methanethiol and dimethyl sulfoxide are the primary odor-causing compounds. Research has suggested that some people who secrete the compounds in their urine can not smell, while some people don't secrete the compounds they can actually smell the scent.
Uses:Asparagus acid doesn't have much use. It is just an acid present in the vegetable asparagus. I guess you could say that it does help to create the wonderful taste of asparagus. Others may disagree. It is known to have a "sweet aroma" in your urine. I disagree with that because I do not feel that it is a pleasant scent.
Discovered: There is no specific date as to when or how this was discovered. Scientists are not even 100% positive as to if this is the reason why your urine has a distinct odor. They are pretty positive that this is the reason, but they can not say for sure.
Reaction: The presence of the two adjacent sulfur atoms leads to an enhanced chemical reactivity, endowing it with biological properties including the ability to substitute potentially for lipoic acid in keto-acid oxidation systems.
General Information:
Name: Asparagusic Acid1,2-dithiolane-4-carboxylic acid
Molar Mass: 150.219 g/mol
Formula: C4H6O2S2
Melting Point: 75.7- 76.5 degrees celsius
Boiling Point: 323.9 degrees celsius
Density: 1.50 cg/cm3
Background Info:
Asparagus acid is uniquely fit to asparagus and is not found in any other vegetable. The breakdown of asparagusic acid and its variety of compounds can most likely be found in your urine after eating asparagus. Scientists think that this is one of the key factors as to why you have an unusual smell when you eat asparagus. This acid was discovered through studies. It has been suggested by several studies that methanethiol and dimethyl sulfoxide are the primary odor-causing compounds. Research has suggested that some people who secrete the compounds in their urine can not smell, while some people don't secrete the compounds they can actually smell the scent.
Uses: Asparagus acid doesn't have much use. It is just an acid present in the vegetable asparagus. I guess you could say that it does help to create the wonderful taste of asparagus. Others may disagree. It is known to have a "sweet aroma" in your urine. I disagree with that because I do not feel that it is a pleasant scent.
Discovered: There is no specific date as to when or how this was discovered. Scientists are not even 100% positive as to if this is the reason why your urine has a distinct odor. They are pretty positive that this is the reason, but they can not say for sure.
Reaction: The presence of the two adjacent sulfur atoms leads to an enhanced chemical reactivity, endowing it with biological properties including the ability to substitute potentially for lipoic acid in keto-acid oxidation systems.
Percent by Mass: Carbon-32%
Hydrogen- 4.03%
Oxygen- 21%
Sulfur- 64%
Percent by Number: Carbon-28.57%
Hydrogen-42.86%
Oxygen- 14.29%
Sulfur- 14.29%
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asparagusic_acid
http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Asparagusic_acid
http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/02/10/why-does-asparagus-make-urine-smell-the-chemistry-of-asparagus/
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